Basting cover apparatus and method thereof
A basting cover for maintaining a humid environment for a food product. The basting cover includes a wall, a rigid band, and a flexible handle. The wall extends with a central wall portion and a side wall portion, the central wall portion having an external surface, the side wall portion extending outward from the central wall portion to a free end. Further, the side wall portion extends with thinned portions defined therein to facilitate the side wall portion to be moveable between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position. The rigid band extends along a central wall periphery. The flexible handle is coupled to the central wall portion such that the flexible handle is disposed in a space between an outer edge of the rigid band and the external surface of the central wall portion.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/119,564, filed Nov. 30, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to food preparation devices and, more specifically, the present invention relates to devices to be positioned over a flat cooking surface to provide a humid environment or the like over a food product.
BACKGROUNDThe process of basting and keeping a food product moist, such as meat or the like, has been employed by use of ovens, enclosed metal dishes and manually pouring juices over the food product. However, the use of an oven or further equipment may not be available. This is particularly true in outdoor settings, such as camping, tailgating or the like, where equipment and space are minimal. Further, without an oven or an enclosed heat source, it becomes difficult to properly heat and baste the food product, particularly when the heat source is a flat open cooking surface or the like. Moreover, it is becoming more desirable to have the ability to cook food products using different methods, such as basting, when outdoors. Additionally, cookware used for basting traditionally is large and bulky, and the storage space for outdoor cooking stations is typically limited.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to various embodiments of a basting cover configured to maintain a humid environment for a food product upon the cover being positioned over a flat cooking surface. The basting cover includes a central wall, a side wall, and a flexible handle. The central wall extends to define a central wall periphery and an external surface. The side wall extends from a first end to a second end, the first end being adjacently fixed to the central wall and extending outward from the central wall to the second end. The side wall is a flexible material such that the side wall is adjustable relative to the central wall between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position. Upon the side wall being in the expanded use position, the second end is positionable directly on the flat cooking surface so that the side wall and central wall extends to define a dome configuration with the external surface facing upward, and upon the side wall being in the collapsed storage position, the side wall folds at least twice along a length of the side wall. With this arrangement, the flexible handle extends along the external surface of the central wall.
In another embodiment, the basting cover further includes a rigid band, the rigid band continuously extending along and being coupled adjacent to the central wall periphery, the rigid band being more rigid than the side wall. In another embodiment, the flexible handle extends between oppositely facing inner sides of the rigid band. In still another embodiment, the rigid band extends with an outer edge such that the flexible handle is positioned in a space defined between the outer edge of the rigid band and the exterior surface of the central wall. In another embodiment, the rigid band is a separate structure from the side wall and the central wall, the side wall and the central wall being a monolithic, seamless structure.
In another embodiment, the side wall extends at least partially with a radial component. In another embodiment, the central wall extends with a generally flat structure. In still another embodiment, the side wall and the central wall are formed of a polymeric material. In yet another embodiment, the side wall and the central wall are a monolithic, seamless structure. In another embodiment, the side wall and the central wall are integrally formed to each other.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a basting cover configured to maintain a humid environment for a food product upon the cover being positioned over a flat cooking surface is provided. The basting cover includes a wall, a rigid band, and a flexible handle. The wall extends with a central wall portion and a side wall portion, the central wall portion having an external surface. The side wall portion extends outward from the central wall portion to a free end, the side wall portion having thinned portions defined therein to facilitate the side wall portion to be moveable between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position. The rigid band extending along and coupled adjacent to a central wall periphery. The flexible handle extending along the central wall portion such that the flexible handle is disposed in a space between an outer edge of the rigid band and the external surface of the central wall portion.
In another embodiment, the rigid band is positioned within a groove defined in the external surface of the central wall portion and along the central wall periphery. In another embodiment, wherein, in the expanded use position, the wall extends to exhibit a dome configuration, and wherein, in the collapsed storage position, the side wall portion folds with at least two folds along a length of the side wall portion. In another embodiment, the central wall portion and the side wall portion are a monolithic, seamless structure. In another embodiment, the rigid band is sized and configured to support the central wall portion upon moving the side wall portion between the expanded use position and collapsed storage position. In still another embodiment, the central wall portion extends with a generally flat structure. In another embodiment, the central wall portion and the rigid band exhibit a generally square profile.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of cooking a food product on a flat cooking surface is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a basting cover having a central wall portion and a side wall portion, the central wall portion having an external surface, the side wall portion extending outward from the central wall portion to a free end such that the basting cover exhibits a dome configuration, the side wall portion having thinned portions defined therein to facilitate the side wall portion to be moveable between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position, the basting cover having a rigid band coupled to the central wall portion so that the rigid band extends from the central wall portion to an outer edge, the basting cover having a flexible handle disposed in a space between the outer edge of the rigid band and the central wall portion; cooking the food product on the flat cooking surface of a griddle type cooking station; and positioning the basting cover over at least some of the food product so that the free end of the basting cover sits directly against the flat cooking surface.
In another embodiment, the method further includes lifting the basting cover from the flat cooking surface with the flexible handle to insert moisture over the food product and re-positioning the basting cover over the food product on the flat cooking surface. In another embodiment, the method further includes moving the basting cover from the collapsed storage position prior to positioning the basting cover over the flat cooking surface. In another embodiment, the method further includes positioning the basting dome with the outer edge of the rigid band sitting directly onto a flat surface so that the basting dome is oriented with a bowl type configuration such that the basting dome is configured to receive a food product therein.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
Referring to
With reference to
Now with reference to
The central wall 17 may extend with a central wall internal surface 32 and a central wall external surface 34 to define a central wall periphery 36 therebetween. The side wall 18 and central wall periphery 36, as well as the central wall 17, may be a monolithic seamless structure. Further, the side wall 18 may extend down and outward from the first end 28 to the second end 29 such that the second end 29 may extend as a free end 38 and may be open so as to extend as a continuous loop. Further, the second end 29 may extend to define a rounded edge 40 or lip structure. The rounded edge 40 may extend at least partially around a wire-like structure 41, such as stainless steel, for example. Such lip structure or rounded edge 40 may substantially provide a seal with the flat cooking surface 12 as the basting cover 10 is placed over food to create the humid environment thereunder, as previously set forth. Further, the rounded edge 40 may extend along the length or entire extent of the free end or second end of the side wall 18. The wire-like structure 41 may be encapsulated within the side wall 18 adjacent the second end 29 of the side wall 18. In other words, the wire-like structure 41 may be embedded within the lip structure. Further, the wire-like structure 41 may provide a degree of stiffness to the second end of the side wall 18, the stiffness being greater than the stiffness of the material of the side wall 18. In this manner, the wire-like structure 41 may provide support to the side wall 18 of the basting cover 10.
With reference to
With reference to
Further, as previously set forth, the basting cover 10 may include a flexible handle 22. In one embodiment, the flexible handle 22 may be an elongated structure with a thickness 60 and a width 62 extending consistently along a length 64 of the elongated structure, the width 62 being larger than the thickness 60 of the flexible handle 22. The length 64 may be larger than the width 62 and may be about a similar distance between opposite sides of the central wall periphery 36. Such flexible handle 22 may extend between a first handle end 66 and an opposite second handle end 68, the first and second handle ends 66, 68 located and coupled adjacent the first end 28 of the side wall 18 and may extend across opposite sides of the external surface 34 of the central wall 17 to the central wall periphery 36. The flexible handle 22 may be fixed 50 between opposite sides of the central wall periphery 36 so as to be fixated below the outer edge 54 of the rigid band 20. The outer edge 54 of the rigid band may be the top most edge or outer most edge of the basting cover 10 such that the flexible handle 22 may be positioned within a space 70 between the outer edge 54 and the external surface 34 of the central wall 17. In this manner, upon the basting cover 10 being used as a bowl such that the outer edge 54 of the rigid band 20 is positioned onto a flat surface, such as a counter top or table, the flexible handle 22 may reside within the space 70 and not interfere with the engagement and positioning of the outer edge 54 relative to the flat surface so that the basting cover 10, while being used as a bowl, may sit level relative to the flat surface. Further, upon the basting cover 10 being employed for keeping food warm and moist on the flat cooking surface 12, such as a griddle, the flexible handle 22 can readily be grasped by the user to either remove the basting cover 10 from the flat cooking surface 12 or to position the basting cover 10 over food being cooked, as desired. Further, the flexible handle 22 may be integrally formed to the central wall 17 and may be formed of the same material as the wall 16 of basting cover 10. In another embodiment, the flexible handle 22 may be formed as a separate and discrete component from the central wall 17, and coupled to a top side of the basting cover 10. In another embodiment, the flexible handle 22 may be a non-rigid structure.
With reference to
Now with reference to
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. Further, the structural features of any one embodiment disclosed herein may be combined or replaced by any one of the structural features of another embodiment set forth herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
Claims
1. A basting cover configured to maintain a humid environment for a food product upon the cover being positioned over a flat cooking surface, comprising:
- a central wall extending to define a central wall periphery and an external surface;
- a side wall extending from a first end to a second end, the first end being adjacently fixed to the central wall and extending outward from the central wall to the second end, the second end being a side wall free end, the side wall being a flexible material such that the side wall is adjustable relative to the central wall between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position, wherein, upon the side wall being in the expanded use position, the side wall free end extends to define an opening and is positionable directly on the flat cooking surface so that the side wall and central wall extends to define a dome configuration with the external surface facing upward, and wherein, upon the side wall being in the collapsed storage position, the side wall folds at least twice along a length of the side wall;
- a flexible handle having a length extending between a handle first fixed end and a handle second fixed end such that the flexible handle extends along the external surface of the central wall; and
- a rigid extension positioned along the central wall periphery and the external surface of the central wall, the rigid extension extending a depth from the central wall to a rigid free end such that the length of the flexible handle is positioned to maintain an upright arcuately extending structure so as to always remain within a space defined by the depth of the rigid extension between the central wall and the rigid free end.
2. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the rigid extension extends continuously along the central wall periphery, the rigid extension being more rigid than the side wall.
3. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the flexible handle extends between oppositely facing inner sides of the rigid extension.
4. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the rigid extension is a separate structure from the side wall and the central wall, the side wall and the central wall being a monolithic, seamless structure.
5. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the side wall extends at least partially with a radial component.
6. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the central wall extends with a generally flat structure.
7. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the side wall and the central wall are formed of a polymeric material.
8. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the side wall and the central wall are a monolithic, seamless structure.
9. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the side wall and the central wall are integrally formed to each other.
10. The basting cover of claim 1, wherein the rigid extension and the side wall extend from the central wall in generally opposite directions.
11. A basting cover configured to maintain a humid environment for a food product upon the cover being positioned over a flat cooking surface, comprising:
- a wall extending with a central wall portion and a side wall portion, the central wall portion having an external surface, the side wall portion extending outward from the central wall portion to a side wall free end, the side wall portion having thinned portions defined therein to facilitate the side wall portion to be moveable between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position;
- a rigid band extending along and coupled adjacent to a central wall periphery of the central wall portion, the rigid band extending outward a depth from the central wall to a rigid free end; and
- a flexible handle having a length extending between a handle first fixed end and a handle second fixed end such that the flexible handle extends along the central wall portion and such that the length of the flexible handle is positioned to maintain an upright arcuately extending structure so as to always remain within in a space defined within the depth of the rigid band between the rigid free end of the rigid band and the external surface of the central wall portion.
12. The basting cover of claim 11, wherein, in the expanded use position, the wall extends to exhibit a dome configuration, and wherein, in the collapsed storage position, the side wall portion folds with at least two folds along a length of the side wall portion.
13. The basting cover of claim 11, wherein the central wall portion and the side wall portion are a monolithic, seamless structure.
14. The basting cover of claim 11, wherein the rigid band is sized and configured to support the central wall portion upon moving the side wall portion between the expanded use position and collapsed storage position.
15. The basting cover of claim 11, wherein the central wall portion extends with a generally flat structure.
16. The basting cover of claim 11, wherein the central wall portion and the rigid band exhibit a generally square profile.
17. A method of cooking a food product on a flat cooking surface, comprising:
- providing a basting cover having a central wall portion and a side wall portion, the central wall portion having an external surface, the side wall portion extending outward from the central wall portion to a free end such that the basting cover exhibits a dome configuration, the side wall portion having thinned portions defined therein to facilitate the side wall portion to be moveable between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position, the basting cover having a rigid extension extending away from and coupled to the central wall portion so that the rigid extension extends from the central wall portion to a rigid extension free end, the basting cover having a flexible handle that is positioned maintain an upright arcuately extending structure so as to remain entirely within a space defined between the rigid extension free end of the rigid extension and the central wall portion;
- cooking the food product on the flat cooking surface of a griddle type cooking station; and
- positioning the basting cover over at least some of the food product so that the free end of the basting cover sits directly against the flat cooking surface.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising lifting the basting cover from the flat cooking surface with the flexible handle to insert moisture over the food product and re-positioning the basting cover over the food product on the flat cooking surface.
19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising moving the basting cover from the collapsed storage position prior to positioning the basting cover over the flat cooking surface.
20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising positioning the basting cover with the rigid extension free end of the rigid extension sitting directly onto a flat surface so that the basting cover is oriented with a bowl type configuration such that the basting cover is configured to receive a food product therein.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 29, 2021
Date of Patent: Nov 21, 2023
Patent Publication Number: 20220167796
Assignee: North Atlantic Imports, LLC (Logan, UT)
Inventors: James P. Miner (Preston, ID), Mauricio J. Escobedo (Logan, UT)
Primary Examiner: Drew E Becker
Assistant Examiner: Chaim A Smith
Application Number: 17/537,166
International Classification: A47J 43/00 (20060101); A47J 36/06 (20060101); A23L 5/10 (20160101);